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Zabik NL, Blackford JU. Sex and sobriety: Human brain structure and function in AUD abstinence. Alcohol 2024; 121:33-44. [PMID: 39069211 DOI: 10.1016/j.alcohol.2024.07.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2024] [Revised: 07/01/2024] [Accepted: 07/08/2024] [Indexed: 07/30/2024]
Abstract
Women are drinking alcohol as much as men for the first time in history. Women experience more health-related consequences from alcohol use disorder (AUD), like increased prevalence of alcohol-related cancers, faster progression of alcohol-related liver disease, and greater risk for relapse compared to men. Thus, sex differences in chronic alcohol use pose a substantial public health problem. Despite these evident sex differences, our understanding of how these differences present during alcohol abstinence is limited. Investigations of brain structure and function are therefore critical for disentangling factors that lead to sex differences in AUD abstinence. This review will discuss current human neuroimaging data on sex differences in alcohol abstinence, focusing on structural and functional brain measures. Current structural imaging literature reveals that abstinent men have smaller gray and white matter volume and weaker structural connectivity compared to control men. Interestingly, abstinent women do not show differences in brain structure when compared to controls; instead, abstinent women show a relation between alcohol use and decreased measures of brain structure. Current functional brain studies reveal that abstinent men exhibit greater brain activation and stronger task-based functional connectivity to aversive stimuli than control men, while abstinent women exhibit lesser brain activation and weaker task-based functional connectivity than control women. Together, the current literature suggests that sex differences persist well into alcohol abstinence and impact brain structure and function differently. Understanding how men and women differ during alcohol abstinence can improve our understanding of sex-specific effects of alcohol, which will be critical to augment treatment methods to better serve women.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole L Zabik
- Munroe-Meyer Institute, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
| | - Jennifer Urbano Blackford
- Munroe-Meyer Institute, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA.
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2
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Lai W, Huang S, Liu J, Zhou B, Yu Z, Brown J, Hong G. Toll-like receptor 4-dependent innate immune responses are mediated by intracrine corticosteroids and activation of glycogen synthase kinase-3β in astrocytes. FASEB J 2024; 38:e23781. [PMID: 38941212 DOI: 10.1096/fj.202301923rr] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2023] [Revised: 06/17/2024] [Accepted: 06/19/2024] [Indexed: 06/30/2024]
Abstract
Reactive astrocytes are important pathophysiologically and synthesize neurosteroids. We observed that LPS increased immunoreactive TLR4 and key steroidogenic enzymes in cortical astrocytes of rats and investigated whether corticosteroids are produced and mediate astrocytic TLR4-dependent innate immune responses. We found that LPS increased steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR) and StAR-dependent aldosterone production in purified astrocytes. Both increases were blocked by the TLR4 antagonist TAK242. LPS also increased 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (11β-HSD1) and corticosterone production, and both were prevented by TAK242 and by siRNAs against 11β-HSD1, StAR, or aldosterone synthase (CYP11B2). Knockdown of 11β-HSD1, StAR, or CYP11B2 or blocking either mineralocorticoid receptors (MR) or glucocorticoid receptors (GR) prevented dephosphorylation of p-Ser9GSK-3β, activation of NF-κB, and the GSK-3β-dependent increases of C3, IL-1β, and TNF-α caused by LPS. Exogenous aldosterone mimicked the MR- and GSK-3β-dependent pro-inflammatory effects of LPS in astrocytes, but corticosterone did not. Supernatants from astrocytes treated with LPS reduced MAP2 and viability of cultured neurons except when astrocytic StAR or MR was inhibited. In adrenalectomized rats, intracerebroventricular injection of LPS increased astrocytic TLR4, StAR, CYP11B2, and 11β-HSD1, NF-κB, C3 and IL-1β, decreased astrocytic p-Ser9GSK-3β in the cortex and was neurotoxic, except when spironolactone was co-injected, consistent with the in vitro results. LPS also activated NF-κB in some NeuN+ and CD11b+ cells in the cortex, and these effects were prevented by spironolactone. We conclude that intracrine aldosterone may be involved in the TLR4-dependent innate immune responses of astrocytes and can trigger paracrine effects by activating astrocytic MR/GSK-3β/NF-κB signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenfang Lai
- College of Pharmacology, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Minhou Shangjie, Fuzhou, China
| | - Siying Huang
- College of Pharmacology, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Minhou Shangjie, Fuzhou, China
| | - Junjie Liu
- College of Pharmacology, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Minhou Shangjie, Fuzhou, China
| | - Binbin Zhou
- College of Pharmacology, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Minhou Shangjie, Fuzhou, China
| | - Zhengshuang Yu
- College of Pharmacology, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Minhou Shangjie, Fuzhou, China
| | - John Brown
- College of Pharmacology, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Minhou Shangjie, Fuzhou, China
| | - Guizhu Hong
- College of Pharmacology, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Minhou Shangjie, Fuzhou, China
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Balan I, Grusca A, Chéry SL, Materia BR, O’Buckley TK, Morrow AL. Neurosteroid [3α,5α]-3-Hydroxy-pregnan-20-one Enhances the CX3CL1-CX3CR1 Pathway in the Brain of Alcohol-Preferring Rats with Sex-Specificity. Life (Basel) 2024; 14:860. [PMID: 39063614 PMCID: PMC11277648 DOI: 10.3390/life14070860] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2024] [Revised: 06/04/2024] [Accepted: 07/03/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
This study investigates the impact of allopregnanolone ([3α,5α]3-hydroxypregnan-20-one or 3α,5α-tetrahydroprogesterone (3α,5α-THP); 10 mg/kg, IP) on fractalkine/CX3-C motif chemokine ligand 1 (CX3CL1) levels, associated signaling components, and markers for microglial and astrocytic cells in the nucleus accumbens (NAc) of male and female alcohol-preferring (P) rats. Previous research suggested that 3α,5α-THP enhances anti-inflammatory interleukin-10 (IL-10) cytokine production in the brains of male P rats, with no similar effect observed in females. This study reveals that 3α,5α-THP elevates CX3CL1 levels by 16% in the NAc of female P rats, with no significant changes observed in males. The increase in CX3CL1 levels induced by 3α,5α-THP was observed in females across multiple brain regions, including the NAc, amygdala, hypothalamus, and midbrain, while no significant effect was noted in males. Additionally, female P rats treated with 3α,5α-THP exhibited notable increases in CX3CL1 receptor (CX3CR1; 48%) and transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-β1; 24%) levels, along with heightened activation (phosphorylation) of signal transducer and activator of transcription 1 (STAT1; 85%) in the NAc. Conversely, no similar alterations were observed in male P rats. Furthermore, 3α,5α-THP decreased glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) levels by 19% in both female and male P rat NAc, without affecting microglial markers ionized calcium-binding adaptor molecule 1 (IBA1) and transmembrane protein 119 (TMEM119). These findings indicate that 3α,5α-THP enhances the CX3CL1/CX3CR1 pathway in the female P rat brain but not in males, primarily influencing astrocyte reactivity, with no observed effect on microglial activation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irina Balan
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, School of Medicine, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA; (I.B.)
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Adelina Grusca
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, School of Medicine, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA; (I.B.)
| | - Samantha Lucenell Chéry
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, School of Medicine, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA; (I.B.)
- Neuroscience Curriculum, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Baylee R. Materia
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, School of Medicine, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA; (I.B.)
| | - Todd K. O’Buckley
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, School of Medicine, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA; (I.B.)
| | - A. Leslie Morrow
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, School of Medicine, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA; (I.B.)
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
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McFarland MH, Machado MMF, Sansbury GM, Musselman KC, Boero G, O'Buckley TK, Carr CC, Morrow AL, Robinson DL. Acute, but not repeated, cocaine exposure alters allopregnanolone levels in the midbrain of male and female rats. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2024; 241:1011-1025. [PMID: 38282126 PMCID: PMC11180476 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-024-06534-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2023] [Accepted: 01/13/2024] [Indexed: 01/30/2024]
Abstract
RATIONALE Multiple psychiatric disorders are associated with altered brain and serum levels of neuroactive steroids, including the endogenous GABAergic steroid, allopregnanolone. Clinically, chronic cocaine use was correlated with decreased levels of pregnenolone. Preclinically, the effect of acute cocaine on allopregnanolone levels in rodents has had mixed results, showing an increase or no change in allopregnanolone levels in some brain regions. OBJECTIVE We hypothesized that cocaine acutely increases allopregnanolone levels, but repeated cocaine exposure decreases allopregnanolone levels compared to controls. METHODS We performed two separate studies to determine how systemic administration of 15 mg/kg cocaine (1) acutely or (2) chronically alters brain (olfactory bulb, frontal cortex, dorsal striatum, and midbrain) and serum allopregnanolone levels in adult male and female Sprague-Dawley rats. RESULTS Cocaine acutely increased allopregnanolone levels in the midbrain, but not in olfactory bulb, frontal cortex, or dorsal striatum. Repeated cocaine did not persistently (24 h later) alter allopregnanolone levels in any region in either sex. However, allopregnanolone levels varied by sex across brain regions. In the acute study, we found that females had significantly higher allopregnanolone levels in serum and olfactory bulb relative to males. In the repeated cocaine study, females had significantly higher allopregnanolone levels in olfactory bulb, frontal cortex, and serum. Finally, acute cocaine increased allopregnanolone levels in the frontal cortex of females in proestrus, relative to non-proestrus stages. CONCLUSION Collectively these results suggest that allopregnanolone levels vary across brain regions and by sex, which may play a part in differential responses to cocaine by sex.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minna H McFarland
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Meira M F Machado
- Robarts Research Institute, Western University, London, ON, N6A 5B7, Canada
| | - Griffin M Sansbury
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Kate C Musselman
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Giorgia Boero
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Todd K O'Buckley
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Crystal C Carr
- Department of Psychology, Wofford College, Spartanburg, SC, 29303, USA
| | - A Leslie Morrow
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Donita L Robinson
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA.
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5
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Balan I, Boero G, Chéry SL, McFarland MH, Lopez AG, Morrow AL. Neuroactive Steroids, Toll-like Receptors, and Neuroimmune Regulation: Insights into Their Impact on Neuropsychiatric Disorders. Life (Basel) 2024; 14:582. [PMID: 38792602 PMCID: PMC11122352 DOI: 10.3390/life14050582] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2024] [Revised: 04/18/2024] [Accepted: 04/28/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Pregnane neuroactive steroids, notably allopregnanolone and pregnenolone, exhibit efficacy in mitigating inflammatory signals triggered by toll-like receptor (TLR) activation, thus attenuating the production of inflammatory factors. Clinical studies highlight their therapeutic potential, particularly in conditions like postpartum depression (PPD), where the FDA-approved compound brexanolone, an intravenous formulation of allopregnanolone, effectively suppresses TLR-mediated inflammatory pathways, predicting symptom improvement. Additionally, pregnane neurosteroids exhibit trophic and anti-inflammatory properties, stimulating the production of vital trophic proteins and anti-inflammatory factors. Androstane neuroactive steroids, including estrogens and androgens, along with dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), display diverse effects on TLR expression and activation. Notably, androstenediol (ADIOL), an androstane neurosteroid, emerges as a potent anti-inflammatory agent, promising for therapeutic interventions. The dysregulation of immune responses via TLR signaling alongside reduced levels of endogenous neurosteroids significantly contributes to symptom severity across various neuropsychiatric disorders. Neuroactive steroids, such as allopregnanolone, demonstrate efficacy in alleviating symptoms of various neuropsychiatric disorders and modulating neuroimmune responses, offering potential intervention avenues. This review emphasizes the significant therapeutic potential of neuroactive steroids in modulating TLR signaling pathways, particularly in addressing inflammatory processes associated with neuropsychiatric disorders. It advances our understanding of the complex interplay between neuroactive steroids and immune responses, paving the way for personalized treatment strategies tailored to individual needs and providing insights for future research aimed at unraveling the intricacies of neuropsychiatric disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irina Balan
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, School of Medicine, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA; (I.B.); (S.L.C.); (M.H.M.); (A.G.L.)
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Giorgia Boero
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA;
| | - Samantha Lucenell Chéry
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, School of Medicine, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA; (I.B.); (S.L.C.); (M.H.M.); (A.G.L.)
- Neuroscience Curriculum, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Minna H. McFarland
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, School of Medicine, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA; (I.B.); (S.L.C.); (M.H.M.); (A.G.L.)
- Neuroscience Curriculum, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Alejandro G. Lopez
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, School of Medicine, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA; (I.B.); (S.L.C.); (M.H.M.); (A.G.L.)
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - A. Leslie Morrow
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, School of Medicine, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA; (I.B.); (S.L.C.); (M.H.M.); (A.G.L.)
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
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Cáceres ARR, Cardone DA, Sanhueza MDLÁ, Bosch IM, Cuello-Carrión FD, Rodriguez GB, Scotti L, Parborell F, Halperin J, Laconi MR. Local effect of allopregnanolone in rat ovarian steroidogenesis, follicular and corpora lutea development. Sci Rep 2024; 14:6402. [PMID: 38493224 PMCID: PMC10944484 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-57102-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2023] [Accepted: 03/14/2024] [Indexed: 03/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Allopregnanolone (ALLO) is a known neurosteroid and a progesterone metabolite synthesized in the ovary, CNS, PNS, adrenals and placenta. Its role in the neuroendocrine control of ovarian physiology has been studied, but its in situ ovarian effects are still largely unknown. The aims of this work were to characterize the effects of intrabursal ALLO administration on different ovarian parameters, and the probable mechanism of action. ALLO administration increased serum progesterone concentration and ovarian 3β-HSD2 while decreasing 20α-HSD mRNA expression. ALLO increased the number of atretic follicles and the number of positive TUNEL granulosa and theca cells, while decreasing positive PCNA immunostaining. On the other hand, there was an increase in corpora lutea diameter and PCNA immunostaining, whereas the count of TUNEL-positive luteal cells decreased. Ovarian angiogenesis and the immunohistochemical expression of GABAA receptor increased after ALLO treatment. To evaluate if the ovarian GABAA receptor was involved in these effects, we conducted a functional experiment with a specific antagonist, bicuculline. The administration of bicuculline restored the number of atretic follicles and the diameter of corpora lutea to normal values. These results show the actions of ALLO on the ovarian physiology of the female rat during the follicular phase, some of them through the GABAA receptor. Intrabursal ALLO administration alters several processes of the ovarian morpho-physiology of the female rat, related to fertility and oocyte quality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonella Rosario Ramona Cáceres
- Laboratorio de Fisiopatología Ovárica, Instituto de Medicina y Biología Experimental de Cuyo (IMBECU - CONICET Mendoza), Av. Ruiz Leal s/n Parque General San Martín, CP 5500, Mendoza, Argentina
- Facultad de Ingeniería y Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad de Mendoza, Mendoza, Argentina
| | - Daniela Alejandra Cardone
- Laboratorio de Fisiopatología Ovárica, Instituto de Medicina y Biología Experimental de Cuyo (IMBECU - CONICET Mendoza), Av. Ruiz Leal s/n Parque General San Martín, CP 5500, Mendoza, Argentina
| | - María de Los Ángeles Sanhueza
- Laboratorio de Fisiopatología Ovárica, Instituto de Medicina y Biología Experimental de Cuyo (IMBECU - CONICET Mendoza), Av. Ruiz Leal s/n Parque General San Martín, CP 5500, Mendoza, Argentina
| | | | - Fernando Darío Cuello-Carrión
- Laboratorio de Oncología, Instituto de Medicina y Biología Experimental de Cuyo (IMBECU - CONICET Mendoza), Mendoza, Argentina
| | | | - Leopoldina Scotti
- Ovarian Pathophysiology Studies Laboratory, Institute of Experimental Biology and Medicine (IByME) - CONICET, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Fernanda Parborell
- Ovarian Pathophysiology Studies Laboratory, Institute of Experimental Biology and Medicine (IByME) - CONICET, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Julia Halperin
- Centro de Estudios Biomédicos Básicos, Aplicados y Desarrollo (CEBBAD), Universidad Maimónides, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Myriam Raquel Laconi
- Laboratorio de Fisiopatología Ovárica, Instituto de Medicina y Biología Experimental de Cuyo (IMBECU - CONICET Mendoza), Av. Ruiz Leal s/n Parque General San Martín, CP 5500, Mendoza, Argentina.
- Facultad de Ingeniería y Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad de Mendoza, Mendoza, Argentina.
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7
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Amin SN, Shaltout SA, El Gazzar WB, Abdel Latif NS, Al-Jussani GN, Alabdallat YJ, Albakri KA, Elberry DA. Impact of NMDA receptors block versus GABA-A receptors modulation on synaptic plasticity and brain electrical activity in metabolic syndrome. Adv Med Sci 2024; 69:176-189. [PMID: 38561071 DOI: 10.1016/j.advms.2024.03.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2023] [Revised: 12/18/2023] [Accepted: 03/25/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a common disorder associated with disturbed neurotransmitter homeostasis. Memantine, an N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) antagonist, was first used in Alzheimer's disease. Allopregnanolone (Allo), a potent positive allosteric modulator of the Gamma-Amino-Butyric Acid (GABA)-A receptors, decreases in neurodegenerative diseases. The study investigated the impact of Memantine versus Allo administration on the animal model of MetS to clarify whether the mechanism of abnormalities is related more to excitatory or inhibitory neurotransmitter dysfunction. MATERIALS AND METHODS Fifty-six male rats were allocated into 7 groups: 4 control groups, 1 MetS group, and 2 treated MetS groups. They underwent assessment of cognition-related behavior by open field and forced swimming tests, electroencephalogram (EEG) recording, serum markers confirming the establishment of MetS model and hippocampal Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein (GFAP) and Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF). RESULTS Allo improved anxiety-like behavior and decreased grooming frequency compared to Memantine. Both drugs increased GFAP and BDNF expression, improving synaptic plasticity and cognition-related behaviors. The therapeutic effect of Allo was more beneficial regarding lipid profile and anxiety. We reported progressive slowing of EEG waves in the MetS group with Memantine and Allo treatment with increased relative theta and decreased relative delta rhythms. CONCLUSIONS Both Allo and Memantine boosted the outcome parameters in the animal model of MetS. Allo markedly improved the anxiety-like behavior in the form of significantly decreased grooming frequency compared to the Memantine-treated groups. Both drugs were associated with increased hippocampal GFAP and BDNF expression, indicating an improvement in synaptic plasticity and so, cognition-related behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shaimaa Nasr Amin
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, The Hashemite University, Zarqa, Jordan; Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt.
| | - Sherif Ahmed Shaltout
- Department of Pharmacology, Public Health, and Clinical Skills, Faculty of Medicine, The Hashemite University, Zarqa, Jordan; Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Benha University, Benha, Egypt
| | - Walaa Bayoumie El Gazzar
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, The Hashemite University, Zarqa, Jordan; Department of Medical Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Benha University, Benha, Egypt
| | - Noha Samir Abdel Latif
- Department of Medical Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University Cairo, Egypt; Department of Medical Pharmacology, Armed Forces College of Medicine, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Ghadah Nazar Al-Jussani
- Department of Microbiology, Pathology and Forensic Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, The Hashemite University, Zarqa, Jordan
| | | | | | - Dalia Azmy Elberry
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
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8
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Morrow AL, Boero G, Balan I. Emerging evidence for endogenous neurosteroid modulation of pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory pathways that impact neuropsychiatric disease. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2024; 158:105558. [PMID: 38244954 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2024.105558] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2023] [Revised: 12/01/2023] [Accepted: 01/16/2024] [Indexed: 01/22/2024]
Abstract
This mini-review presents emerging evidence that endogenous neurosteroids modulate both pro- and anti-inflammatory signaling by immune cells and brain cells that contribute to depression, alcohol use disorders, and other inflammatory conditions. We first review the literature on pregnenolone and allopregnanolone inhibition of proinflammatory neuroimmune pathways in the periphery and the brain - effects that are independent of GABAergic mechanisms. We follow with evidence for neurosteroid enhancement of anti-inflammatory and protective pathways in brain and immune cells. These studies draw clinical relevance from a large body of evidence that pro-inflammatory immune signaling is dysregulated in many brain disorders and the fact that neurosteroids inhibit the same inflammatory pathways that are activated in depression, alcohol use disorders and other inflammatory conditions. Thus, we describe evidence that neurosteroid levels are decreased and neurosteroid supplementation has therapeutic efficacy in these neuropsychiatric conditions. We conclude with a perspective that endogenous regulation of immune balance between pro- and anti-inflammatory pathways by neurosteroid signaling is essential to prevent the onset of disease. Deficits in neurosteroids may unleash excessive pro-inflammatory activation which progresses in a feed-forward manner to disrupt brain networks that regulate stress, emotion and motivation. Neurosteroids can block various inflammatory pathways in mouse and human macrophages, rat brain and human blood and therefore provide new hope for treatment of intractable conditions that involve excessive inflammatory signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Leslie Morrow
- Department of Psychiatry and Pharmacology, Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA.
| | - Giorgia Boero
- Department of Psychiatry and Pharmacology, Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Irina Balan
- Department of Psychiatry and Pharmacology, Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
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9
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Fattore L, Pisanu A, Concas L, Casula C, Siddi C, Pisu MG, Serra M, Concas A, Porcu P. Behavioral characterization of co-exposure to cannabinoids and hormonal contraceptives in female rats. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2024; 129:110890. [PMID: 37926338 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2023.110890] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2023] [Revised: 10/11/2023] [Accepted: 10/30/2023] [Indexed: 11/07/2023]
Abstract
Hormonal contraceptives are among the most widely used drugs by young healthy women to block ovulation and avoid pregnancy. They reduce the ovarian secretion of estradiol and progesterone, hormones that also modulate neuronal plasticity, cognitive functions, emotions and mood. Cannabis is the most commonly used illicit drug worldwide and its use is increasing among young women, many of which regularly take the "pill". Despite evidence of a bidirectional interaction between the endocannabinoid system and gonadal hormones, only very few studies have examined the consequences of cannabis consumption in young females under hormonal contraceptives treatment. To fill this gap, this study evaluated the behavioral effects of co-exposure to chronic 1) hormonal contraceptives, i.e., ethinyl estradiol (EE) plus levonorgestrel (LNG), one of the synthetic estrogen-progestin combinations of hormonal contraceptives, and 2) cannabinoid receptor agonist, i.e., WIN 55,212-2 (WIN), on motor activity, emotional state and cognitive functions in young adult female rats (8-11/experimental group). Hormonal and cannabinoid treatment started at post-natal day (PND) 52 and 56, respectively, while behavioral testing occurred between PND 84-95. The results show that chronic EE-LNG treatment, at doses (0.020 and 0.060 mg/rat, respectively) known to drastically reduce plasma progesterone levels, and the contextual exposure to WIN, at a dose (12.5 μg/kg/infusion) known to be rewarding in the rat, alters the hormonal milieu but does not cause further changes in locomotor activity compared to EE-LNG or WIN alone, and does not modify anxiety-like state (as measured by the elevated plus maze and the marble burying tests) and cognitive abilities (as measured by the novel object recognition and the prepulse inhibition tests) in young adult female rats. Although exposure to EE-LNG and WIN tends to increase the duration of immobility and to reduce the time spent swimming in the forced swimming test, there was not a significant additive effect suggestive of a depressive-like state. These findings allow deepening the current knowledge on the interaction between cannabinoid agonists and hormonal contraceptives and suggest that low, rewarding doses of cannabinoids do not significantly alter the motor and cognitive skills and do not induce anxiety or depressive-like states in females that use hormonal contraceptives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liana Fattore
- Neuroscience Institute, National Research Council of Italy (CNR), Cagliari, Italy
| | - Augusta Pisanu
- Neuroscience Institute, National Research Council of Italy (CNR), Cagliari, Italy
| | - Luca Concas
- Neuroscience Institute, National Research Council of Italy (CNR), Cagliari, Italy
| | - Claudia Casula
- Neuroscience Institute, National Research Council of Italy (CNR), Cagliari, Italy
| | - Carlotta Siddi
- Neuroscience Institute, National Research Council of Italy (CNR), Cagliari, Italy
| | | | - Mariangela Serra
- Department of Life and Environment Sciences, Section of Neuroscience and Anthropology, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Alessandra Concas
- Department of Life and Environment Sciences, Section of Neuroscience and Anthropology, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Patrizia Porcu
- Neuroscience Institute, National Research Council of Italy (CNR), Cagliari, Italy.
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10
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Feng YF, Zhou YY, Duan KM. The Role of Extrasynaptic GABA Receptors in Postpartum Depression. Mol Neurobiol 2024; 61:385-396. [PMID: 37612480 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-023-03574-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2023] [Accepted: 08/11/2023] [Indexed: 08/25/2023]
Abstract
Postpartum depression is a serious disease with a high incidence and severe impact on pregnant women and infants, but its mechanism remains unclear. Recent studies have shown that GABA receptors, especially extrasynaptic receptors, are closely associated with postpartum depression. There are many different structures of GABA receptors, so different types of receptors have different functions, even though they transmit information primarily through GABA. In this review, we focus on the function of GABA receptors, especially extrasynaptic GABA receptors, and their association with postpartum depression. We have shown that the extrasynaptic GABA receptor has a significant impact on the activity and function of neurons through tonic inhibition. The extrasynaptic receptor and its ligands undergo drastic changes during pregnancy and childbirth. Abnormal changes or the body's inability to adjust and recover may be an important cause of postpartum depression. Finally, by reviewing the mechanisms of several novel antidepressants, we suggest that extrasynaptic receptors may be potential targets for the treatment of postpartum depression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yun Fei Feng
- Third Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, 410013, China
| | - Yin Yong Zhou
- Third Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, 410013, China
| | - Kai Ming Duan
- Third Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, 410013, China.
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11
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Maguire JL, Mennerick S. Neurosteroids: mechanistic considerations and clinical prospects. Neuropsychopharmacology 2024; 49:73-82. [PMID: 37369775 PMCID: PMC10700537 DOI: 10.1038/s41386-023-01626-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2023] [Revised: 04/15/2023] [Accepted: 05/17/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023]
Abstract
Like other classes of treatments described in this issue's section, neuroactive steroids have been studied for decades but have risen as a new class of rapid-acting, durable antidepressants with a distinct mechanism of action from previous antidepressant treatments and from other compounds covered in this issue. Neuroactive steroids are natural derivatives of progesterone but are proving effective as exogenous treatments. The best understood mechanism is that of positive allosteric modulation of GABAA receptors, where subunit selectivity may promote their profile of action. Mechanistically, there is some reason to think that neuroactive steroids may separate themselves from liabilities of other GABA modulators, although research is ongoing. It is also possible that intracellular targets, including inflammatory pathways, may be relevant to beneficial actions. Strengths and opportunities for further development include exploiting non-GABAergic targets, structural analogs, enzymatic production of natural steroids, precursor loading, and novel formulations. The molecular mechanisms of behavioral effects are not fully understood, but study of brain network states involved in emotional processing demonstrate a robust influence on affective states not evident with at least some other GABAergic drugs including benzodiazepines. Ongoing studies with neuroactive steroids will further elucidate the brain and behavioral effects of these compounds as well as likely underpinnings of disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jamie L Maguire
- Department of Neuroscience, Tufts University School of Medicine, 136 Harrison Ave, Boston, MA, 02111, USA
| | - Steven Mennerick
- Department of Psychiatry and Taylor Family Institute for Innovative Psychiatric Research, Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine, 660 S. Euclid Ave., St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA.
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12
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Wang T, Chen S, Mao Z, Shang Y, Brinton RD. Allopregnanolone pleiotropic action in neurons and astrocytes: calcium signaling as a unifying mechanism. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2023; 14:1286931. [PMID: 38189047 PMCID: PMC10771836 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1286931] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2023] [Accepted: 11/13/2023] [Indexed: 01/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Objective Allopregnanolone (Allo) is a neurosteroid with pleiotropic action in the brain that includes neurogenesis, oligogenesis, human and rodent neural stem cell regeneration, increased glucose metabolism, mitochondrial respiration and biogenesis, improved cognitive function, and reduction of both inflammation and Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathology. Because the breadth of Allo-induced responses requires activation of multiple systems of biology in the absence of an Allo-specific nuclear receptor, analyses were conducted in both neurons and astrocytes to identify unifying systems and signaling pathways. Methods Mechanisms of Allo action were investigated in embryonic hippocampal neurons and astrocytes cultured in an Aging Model (AM) media. Cellular morphology, mitochondrial function, and transcriptomics were investigated followed by mechanistic pathway analyses. Results In hippocampal neurons, Allo significantly increased neurite outgrowth and synaptic protein expression, which were paralleled by upregulated synaptogenesis and long-term potentiation gene expression profiles. Mechanistically, Allo induced Ca2+/CREB signaling cascades. In parallel, Allo significantly increased maximal mitochondrial respiration, mitochondrial membrane potential, and Complex IV activity while reducing oxidative stress, which required both the GABAA and L-type Ca2+ channels. In astrocytes, Allo increased ATP generation, mitochondrial function and dynamics while reducing oxidative stress, inflammasome indicators, and apoptotic signaling. Mechanistically, Allo regulation of astrocytic mitochondrial function required both the GABAA and L-type Ca2+ channels. Furthermore, Allo activated NRF1-TFAM signaling and increased the DRP1/OPA1 protein ratio, which led to increased mitochondrial biogenesis and dynamics. Conclusion Collectively, the cellular, mitochondrial, transcriptional, and pharmacological profiles provide evidence in support of calcium signaling as a unifying mechanism for Allo pleiotropic actions in the brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tian Wang
- Center for Innovation in Brain Science, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, United States
- Department of Neurology, College of Medicine Tucson, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, United States
| | - Shuhua Chen
- Center for Innovation in Brain Science, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, United States
| | - Zisu Mao
- Center for Innovation in Brain Science, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, United States
| | - Yuan Shang
- Center for Innovation in Brain Science, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, United States
| | - Roberta Diaz Brinton
- Center for Innovation in Brain Science, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, United States
- Department of Neurology, College of Medicine Tucson, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, United States
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine Tucson, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, United States
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13
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Guo K, Mao M, Zhang S, Xu S, Zhao L, Wang X, Feng S. Research Trends and Hot Spots of Allopregnanolone Research in the Last 20 Years: A Bibliometric Analysis. Drug Des Devel Ther 2023; 17:3397-3408. [PMID: 38024537 PMCID: PMC10657548 DOI: 10.2147/dddt.s434364] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2023] [Accepted: 11/09/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Allopregnanolone is a kind of neuroactive steroid or neurosteroid in the central nervous system that acts as an endogenenous GABAA receptor positive modulator. However, at present, no comprehensive bibliometric analysis regarding allopregnanolone research is available. In our study, we intend to analyze the research trends and hot spots related to allopregnanolone in the past 20 years. Methods We searched for allopregnanolone related articles and reviews between 2004 and 2023 from the Web of Science Core Collection database. Then, the bibliometric analysis was conducted using VOSviewer, CiteSpace, Microsoft Excel 2019, as well as the online bibliometric analysis platform (http://bibliometric.com/). Results A total of 1841 eligible publications were identified. The number of annual publications and citations was generally on the rise. Among countries, the United States ranked first in overall publications, citations, international cooperation, and the number of research institutions. The University of North Carolina was the most active institution, conducting numerous preclinical and clinical work that focusing on allopregnanolone treatment for diverse psychiatric or neurologic disorders. As for authors, Dr. Frye CA, Morrow AL, and Pinna G were identified as the top three prolific scholars due to their great publications and citations. Based on the publication clusters and citation bursts analysis, the keyword co-occurrence network, the strongest citation bursts, and co-cited references analysis, the hot spots in recent years included "depression", "postpartum depression", "GABAA receptor", and so on. Conclusion Allopregnanolone is still a popular area of research, and the United States leads the way in this area. Dr. Frye CA, Morrow AL, Pinna G, and their teams contributed greatly to the mechanism study and translation study of allopregnanolone. The use of allopregnanolone for the treatment of psychiatric or neurologic disorders, especially postpartum depression, is the current hot spot. However, the underlying mechanisms of anti-depression are still not clear, deserving more in-depth research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kunlin Guo
- Department of Anesthesiology, Women’s Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, People’s Republic of China
| | - Mingjie Mao
- Department of Anesthesiology, Women’s Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, People’s Republic of China
| | - Susu Zhang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Women’s Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, People’s Republic of China
| | - Shiqin Xu
- Department of Anesthesiology, Women’s Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, People’s Republic of China
| | - Liping Zhao
- Department of Anesthesiology, Women’s Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xian Wang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Women’s Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, People’s Republic of China
| | - Shanwu Feng
- Department of Anesthesiology, Women’s Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, People’s Republic of China
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14
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Rudzinskas SA. The Pathway Between "You Are" and "What You Eat". Biol Psychiatry 2023; 94:e33-e35. [PMID: 37718033 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2023.08.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2023] [Revised: 08/03/2023] [Accepted: 08/03/2023] [Indexed: 09/19/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Sarah A Rudzinskas
- Behavioral Endocrinology Branch, National Institute of Mental Health, Bethesda, Maryland; Laboratory of Neurogenetics, National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, Rockville, Maryland.
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15
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Boero G, McFarland MH, Tyler RE, O’Buckley TK, Chéry SL, Robinson DL, Besheer J, Morrow AL. Deleterious Interaction between the Neurosteroid (3α,5α)3-Hydroxypregnan-20-One (3α,5α-THP) and the Mu-Opioid System Activation during Forced Swim Stress in Rats. Biomolecules 2023; 13:1205. [PMID: 37627270 PMCID: PMC10452864 DOI: 10.3390/biom13081205] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2023] [Revised: 07/28/2023] [Accepted: 07/28/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
The neurosteroid 3α,5α-THP is a potent GABAA receptor-positive modulator and its regulatory action on the HPA axis stress response has been reported in numerous preclinical and clinical studies. We previously demonstrated that 3α,5α-THP down-regulation of HPA axis activity during stress is sex-, brain region- and stressor-dependent. In this study, we observed a deleterious submersion behavior in response to 3α,5α-THP (15 mg/kg) during forced swim stress (FSS) that led us to investigate how 3α,5α-THP might affect behavioral coping strategies engaged in by the animal. Given the well-established involvement of the opioid system in HPA axis activation and its interaction with GABAergic neurosteroids, we explored the synergic effects of 3α,5α-THP/opiate system activation in this behavior. Serum β-endorphin (β-EP) was elevated by FSS and enhanced by 3α,5α-THP + FSS. Hypothalamic Mu-opiate receptors (MOP) were increased in female rats by 3α,5α-THP + FSS. Pretreatment with the MOP antagonist D-Phe-Cys-Tyr-D-Trp-Arg-Thr-Pen-Thr-NH2 (CTAP; 2 mg/kg, IP) reversed submersion behavior in males. Moreover, in both males and females, CTAP pretreatment decreased immobility episodes while increasing immobility duration but did not alter swimming duration. This interaction between 3α,5α-THP and the opioid system in the context of FSS might be important in the development of treatment for neuropsychiatric disorders involving HPA axis activation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giorgia Boero
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 3027 Thurston Bowles Bldg., CB 7178, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA; (G.B.)
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Minna H. McFarland
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 3027 Thurston Bowles Bldg., CB 7178, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA; (G.B.)
| | - Ryan E. Tyler
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 3027 Thurston Bowles Bldg., CB 7178, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA; (G.B.)
| | - Todd K. O’Buckley
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 3027 Thurston Bowles Bldg., CB 7178, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA; (G.B.)
| | - Samantha L. Chéry
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 3027 Thurston Bowles Bldg., CB 7178, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA; (G.B.)
| | - Donita L. Robinson
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 3027 Thurston Bowles Bldg., CB 7178, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA; (G.B.)
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Joyce Besheer
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 3027 Thurston Bowles Bldg., CB 7178, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA; (G.B.)
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - A. Leslie Morrow
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 3027 Thurston Bowles Bldg., CB 7178, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA; (G.B.)
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
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16
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Rudzinskas SA, Mazzu MA, Schiller CE, Meltzer-Brody S, Rubinow DR, Schmidt PJ, Goldman D. Divergent Transcriptomic Effects of Allopregnanolone in Postpartum Depression. Genes (Basel) 2023; 14:1234. [PMID: 37372414 PMCID: PMC10298697 DOI: 10.3390/genes14061234] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2023] [Revised: 06/01/2023] [Accepted: 06/02/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Brexanolone, a formulation of the neurosteroid allopregnanolone (ALLO), is approved for treating postpartum depression (PPD) and is being investigated for therapeutic efficacy across numerous neuropsychiatric disorders. Given ALLO's beneficial effects on mood in women with PPD compared to healthy control women, we sought to characterize and compare the cellular response to ALLO in women with (n = 9) or without (n = 10, i.e., Controls) past PPD, utilizing our previously established patient-derived lymphoblastoid cell lines (LCLs). To mimic in vivo PPD ALLO-treatment, LCLs were exposed to ALLO or DMSO vehicle for 60 h and RNA-sequenced to detect differentially expressed genes (DEGs, pnominal < 0.05). Between ALLO-treated Control and PPD LCLs, 269 DEGs were identified, including Glutamate Decarboxylase 1 (GAD1), which was decreased 2-fold in PPD. Network analysis of PPD:ALLO DEGs revealed enriched terms related to synaptic activity and cholesterol biosynthesis. Within-diagnosis analyses (i.e., DMSO vs. ALLO) detected 265 ALLO-induced DEGs in Control LCLs compared to only 98 within PPD LCLs, with just 11 DEGs overlapping. Likewise, the gene ontologies underlying ALLO-induced DEGs in PPD and Control LCLs were divergent. These data suggest that ALLO may activate unique and opposing molecular pathways in women with PPD, which may be tied to its antidepressant mechanism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah A. Rudzinskas
- Behavioral Endocrinology Branch, National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), NIH, 10 Center Drive MSC 1277, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA; (S.A.R.)
- Laboratory of Neurogenetics, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), NIH, Rockville, MD 20855, USA
| | - Maria A. Mazzu
- Behavioral Endocrinology Branch, National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), NIH, 10 Center Drive MSC 1277, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA; (S.A.R.)
- Laboratory of Neurogenetics, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), NIH, Rockville, MD 20855, USA
| | | | | | - David R. Rubinow
- Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Peter J. Schmidt
- Behavioral Endocrinology Branch, National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), NIH, 10 Center Drive MSC 1277, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA; (S.A.R.)
| | - David Goldman
- Laboratory of Neurogenetics, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), NIH, Rockville, MD 20855, USA
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17
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Balan I, Patterson R, Boero G, Krohn H, O'Buckley TK, Meltzer-Brody S, Morrow AL. Brexanolone therapeutics in post-partum depression involves inhibition of systemic inflammatory pathways. EBioMedicine 2023; 89:104473. [PMID: 36801618 PMCID: PMC9984433 DOI: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2023.104473] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2022] [Revised: 01/19/2023] [Accepted: 01/30/2023] [Indexed: 02/18/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Brexanolone has rapid, long-lasting, and remarkable efficacy in the treatment of post-partum depression (PPD). We test the hypothesis that brexanolone inhibits proinflammatory modulators and macrophage activation in PPD patients, which may promote clinical recovery. METHODS PPD patients (N = 18) provided blood samples before and after brexanolone infusion according to the FDA-approved protocol. Patients were unresponsive to prior treatment before brexanolone therapy. Serum was collected to determine neurosteroid levels and whole blood cell lysates were examined for inflammatory markers and in vitro responses to the inflammatory activators lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and imiquimod (IMQ). FINDINGS Brexanolone infusion altered multiple neuroactive steroid levels (N = 15-18), reduced levels of inflammatory mediators (N = 11) and inhibited their response to inflammatory immune activators (N = 9-11). Specifically, brexanolone infusion reduced whole blood cell tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α, p = 0.003), and interleukin-6 (IL-6, p = 0.04) and these effects were correlated with HAM-D score improvement (TNF-α, p = 0.049; IL-6, p = 0.02). Furthermore, brexanolone infusion prevented LPS and IMQ-induced elevation of TNF-α (LPS: p = 0.02; IMQ: p = 0.01), IL-1β (LPS: p = 0.006; IMQ: p = 0.02) and IL-6 (LPS: p = 0.009; IMQ: p = 0.01), indicating inhibition of toll-like receptor (TLR)4 and TLR7 responses. Finally, inhibition of TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6 responses to both LPS and IMQ were correlated with HAM-D score improvements (p < 0.05). INTERPRETATION Brexanolone actions involve inhibition of inflammatory mediator production and inhibition of inflammatory responses to TLR4 and TLR7 activators. The data suggest that inflammation plays a role in post-partum depression and that inhibition of inflammatory pathways contributes to the therapeutic efficacy of brexanolone. FUNDING The Foundation of Hope, Raleigh, NC and UNC School of Medicine, Chapel Hill.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irina Balan
- Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, 27599, NC, USA
| | - Riah Patterson
- Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, 27599, NC, USA
| | - Giorgia Boero
- Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, 27599, NC, USA
| | - Holly Krohn
- Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, 27599, NC, USA
| | - Todd K O'Buckley
- Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, 27599, NC, USA
| | - Samantha Meltzer-Brody
- Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, 27599, NC, USA
| | - A Leslie Morrow
- Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, 27599, NC, USA; Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, 27599, NC, USA.
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18
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Suseelan S, Pinna G. Heterogeneity in major depressive disorder: The need for biomarker-based personalized treatments. Adv Clin Chem 2022; 112:1-67. [PMID: 36642481 DOI: 10.1016/bs.acc.2022.09.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) or depression is a pathological mental condition affecting millions of people worldwide. Identification of objective biological markers of depression can provide for a better diagnostic and intervention criteria; ultimately aiding to reduce its socioeconomic health burden. This review provides a comprehensive insight into the major biomarker candidates that have been implicated in depression neurobiology. The key biomarker categories are covered across all the "omics" levels. At the epigenomic level, DNA-methylation, non-coding RNA and histone-modifications have been discussed in relation to depression. The proteomics system shows great promise with inflammatory markers as well as growth factors and neurobiological alterations within the endocannabinoid system. Characteristic lipids implicated in depression together with the endocrine system are reviewed under the metabolomics section. The chapter also examines the novel biomarkers for depression that have been proposed by studies in the microbiome. Depression affects individuals differentially and explicit biomarkers identified by robust research criteria may pave the way for better diagnosis, intervention, treatment, and prediction of treatment response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shayam Suseelan
- The Psychiatric Institute, Department of Psychiatry, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Graziano Pinna
- The Psychiatric Institute, Department of Psychiatry, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States; UI Center on Depression and Resilience (UICDR), Department of Psychiatry, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States; Center for Alcohol Research in Epigenetics, Department of Psychiatry, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States.
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19
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Fernandez N, Petit A, Pianos A, Haddad L, Schumacher M, Liere P, Guennoun R. Aging Is Associated With Lower Neuroactive Steroids and Worsened Outcomes Following Cerebral Ischemia in Male Mice. Endocrinology 2022; 164:6779564. [PMID: 36306407 DOI: 10.1210/endocr/bqac183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2022] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
Ischemic stroke is a leading cause of disability and death, and aging is the main nonmodifiable risk factor. Following ischemia, neuroactive steroids have been shown to play a key role in cerebroprotection. Thus, brain steroid concentrations at the time of injury as well as their regulation after stroke are key factors to consider. Here, we investigated the effects of age and cerebral ischemia on steroid levels, behavioral outcomes, and neuronal degeneration in 3- and 18-month-old C57BL/6JRj male mice. Ischemia was induced by middle cerebral artery occlusion for 1 hour followed by reperfusion (MCAO/R) and analyses were performed at 6 hours after MCAO. Extended steroid profiles established by gas chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry revealed that (1) brain and plasma concentrations of the main 5α-reduced metabolites of progesterone, 11-deoxycorticosterone, and corticosterone were lower in old than in young mice; (2) after MCAO/R, brain concentrations of progesterone, 5α-dihydroprogesterone, and corticosterone increased in young mice; and (3) after MCAO/R, brain concentrations of 5α-reduced metabolites of progesterone, 3α5α-tetrahydrodeoxycorticosterone, and 3β5α-tetrahydrodeoxycorticosterone were lower in old than in young mice. After ischemia, old mice showed increased sensori-motor deficits and more degenerating neurons in the striatum than young mice. Altogether, these findings strongly suggest that the decreased capacity of old mice to metabolize steroids toward the 5α-reduction pathway comparatively to young mice may contribute to the worsening of their stroke outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neïké Fernandez
- U1195 Inserm and University Paris-Saclay, 94276 Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, France
| | - Anthony Petit
- U1195 Inserm and University Paris-Saclay, 94276 Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, France
| | - Antoine Pianos
- U1195 Inserm and University Paris-Saclay, 94276 Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, France
| | - Léna Haddad
- U1195 Inserm and University Paris-Saclay, 94276 Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, France
| | - Michael Schumacher
- U1195 Inserm and University Paris-Saclay, 94276 Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, France
| | - Philippe Liere
- U1195 Inserm and University Paris-Saclay, 94276 Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, France
| | - Rachida Guennoun
- U1195 Inserm and University Paris-Saclay, 94276 Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, France
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20
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Pisu MG, Concas L, Siddi C, Serra M, Porcu P. The Allopregnanolone Response to Acute Stress in Females: Preclinical and Clinical Studies. Biomolecules 2022; 12:biom12091262. [PMID: 36139100 PMCID: PMC9496329 DOI: 10.3390/biom12091262] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2022] [Revised: 08/31/2022] [Accepted: 09/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The neuroactive steroid allopregnanolone ((3α,5α)-3-hydroxypregnan-20-one or 3α,5α-THP) plays a key role in the response to stress, by normalizing hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis function to restore homeostasis. Most studies have been conducted on male rats, and little is known about the allopregnanolone response to stress in females, despite that women are more susceptible than men to develop emotional and stress-related disorders. Here, we provide an overview of animal and human studies examining the allopregnanolone responses to acute stress in females in the context of stress-related neuropsychiatric diseases and under the different conditions that characterize the female lifespan associated with the reproductive function. The blunted allopregnanolone response to acute stress, often observed in female rats and women, may represent one of the mechanisms that contribute to the increased vulnerability to stress and affective disorders in women under the different hormonal fluctuations that occur throughout their lifespan. These studies highlight the importance of targeting neuroactive steroids as a therapeutic approach for stress-related disorders in women.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Giuseppina Pisu
- Neuroscience Institute, National Research Council of Italy (CNR), 09042 Cagliari, Italy
| | - Luca Concas
- Department of Life and Environment Sciences, Section of Neuroscience and Anthropology, University of Cagliari, 09042 Cagliari, Italy
| | - Carlotta Siddi
- Department of Life and Environment Sciences, Section of Neuroscience and Anthropology, University of Cagliari, 09042 Cagliari, Italy
| | - Mariangela Serra
- Department of Life and Environment Sciences, Section of Neuroscience and Anthropology, University of Cagliari, 09042 Cagliari, Italy
| | - Patrizia Porcu
- Neuroscience Institute, National Research Council of Italy (CNR), 09042 Cagliari, Italy
- Correspondence:
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21
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Sze Y, Brunton PJ. Neurosteroids and early-life programming: An updated perspective. CURRENT OPINION IN ENDOCRINE AND METABOLIC RESEARCH 2022; 25:100367. [PMID: 36561280 PMCID: PMC7613978 DOI: 10.1016/j.coemr.2022.100367] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Early-life stress can lead to detrimental offspring outcomes, including an increased risk for mood disorders and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis dysregulation. Neurosteroids bind to ligand-gated neurotransmitter receptors, rapidly modulating neuronal excitability and promoting termination of stress responses. Reduced neurosteroidogenesis underlies some of the aberrant neuroendocrine and behavioural phenotypes observed in adult prenatally stressed rodents. During development, disruptions in neurosteroid generation and action also lead to long-term programming effects on the off-spring's brain and behaviour. Here, we review recent advances in the field, focusing on the interaction between neurosteroids and early-life stress outcomes in adulthood and in the perinatal period. We also discuss the direction of future research, with emphasis on quantification methods, sex differences, and neurosteroids as targets for therapeutic intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Sze
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Hugh Robson Building, George Square, Edinburgh, EH8 9XD, Scotland, UK
| | - Paula J Brunton
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Hugh Robson Building, George Square, Edinburgh, EH8 9XD, Scotland, UK
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22
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Balan I, Aurelian L, Williams KS, Campbell B, Meeker RB, Morrow AL. Inhibition of human macrophage activation via pregnane neurosteroid interactions with toll-like receptors: Sex differences and structural requirements. Front Immunol 2022; 13:940095. [PMID: 35967446 PMCID: PMC9373802 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.940095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2022] [Accepted: 07/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
We recently discovered that (3α,5α)3-hydroxypregnan-20-one (allopregnanolone) inhibits pro-inflammatory toll-like receptor (TLR) activation and cytokine/chemokine production in mouse macrophage RAW264.7 cells. The present studies evaluate neurosteroid actions upon TLR activation in human macrophages from male and female healthy donors. Buffy coat leukocytes were obtained from donors at the New York Blood Center (http://nybloodcenter.org/), and peripheral blood mononuclear cells were isolated and cultured to achieve macrophage differentiation. TLR4 and TLR7 were activated by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or imiquimod in the presence/absence of allopregnanolone or related neurosteroids and pro-inflammatory markers were detected by ELISA or western blotting. Cultured human monocyte-derived-macrophages exhibited typical morphology, a mixed immune profile of both inflammatory and anti-inflammatory markers, with no sex difference at baseline. Allopregnanolone inhibited TLR4 activation in male and female donors, preventing LPS-induced elevations of TNF-α, MCP-1, pCREB and pSTAT1. In contrast, 3α,5α-THDOC and SGE-516 inhibited the TLR4 pathway activation in female, but not male donors. Allopregnanolone completely inhibited TLR7 activation by imiquimod, blocking IL-1-β, IL-6, pSTAT1 and pIRF7 elevations in females only. 3α,5α-THDOC and SGE-516 partially inhibited TLR7 activation, only in female donors. The results indicate that allopregnanolone inhibits TLR4 and TLR7 activation in cultured human macrophages resulting in diminished cytokine/chemokine production. Allopregnanolone inhibition of TLR4 activation was found in males and females, but inhibition of TLR7 signals exhibited specificity for female donors. 3α,5α-THDOC and SGE-516 inhibited TLR4 and TLR7 pathways only in females. These studies demonstrate anti-inflammatory effects of allopregnanolone in human macrophages for the first time and suggest that inhibition of pro-inflammatory cytokines/chemokines may contribute to its therapeutic actions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irina Balan
- Department of Psychiatry, Department of Pharmacology, Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Laure Aurelian
- Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, United States
| | - Kimberly S. Williams
- Department of Neurology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Brian Campbell
- Translational Sciences, Sage Therapeutics Inc., Cambridge, MA, United States
| | - Rick B. Meeker
- Department of Neurology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - A. Leslie Morrow
- Department of Psychiatry, Department of Pharmacology, Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
- *Correspondence: A. Leslie Morrow,
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Concas A, Serra M, Porcu P. How hormonal contraceptives shape brain and behavior: A review of preclinical studies. Front Neuroendocrinol 2022; 66:101017. [PMID: 35843303 DOI: 10.1016/j.yfrne.2022.101017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2022] [Revised: 06/13/2022] [Accepted: 07/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Steroid hormones influence different aspects of brain function, including development, neurogenesis, neuronal excitability, and plasticity, thus affecting emotional states, cognition, sociality, and reward. In women, their levels fluctuate across the lifespan and through the reproductive stages but are also altered by exogenous administration of hormonal contraceptives (HC). HC are widely used by women throughout their fertile life both for contraceptive and therapeutic benefits. However, awareness of their effects on brain function and behavior is still poorly appreciated, despite the emerging evidence of their action at the level of the central nervous system. Here, we summarize results obtained in preclinical studies, mostly conducted in intact female rodents, aimed at investigating the neurobiological effects of HC. HC can alter neuroactive hormones, neurotransmitters, neuropeptides, as well as emotional states, cognition, social and sexual behaviors. Animal studies provide insights into the neurobiological effects of HC with the aim to improve women's health and well-being.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandra Concas
- Department of Life and Environment Sciences, Section of Neuroscience and Anthropology, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Mariangela Serra
- Department of Life and Environment Sciences, Section of Neuroscience and Anthropology, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Patrizia Porcu
- Neuroscience Institute, National Research Council of Italy (CNR), Cagliari, Italy.
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Pinna G, Almeida FB, Davis JM. Allopregnanolone in Postpartum Depression. Front Glob Womens Health 2022; 3:823616. [PMID: 35558166 PMCID: PMC9088875 DOI: 10.3389/fgwh.2022.823616] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2021] [Accepted: 02/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Postpartum depression (PPD) is a debilitating psychiatric disorder characterized by a high worldwide prevalence and serious long-term negative outcomes for both mothers and children. The lack of a specific treatment and overreliance on pharmacotherapy with limited efficacy and delayed treatment response has constituted a complication in the management of PPD. Recently, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the USA approved a synthetic formulation of the GABAergic neurosteroid allopregnanolone, administered intravenously (brexanolone) for the rapid, long-lasting and effective treatment of PPD. Hereinafter, we review findings on allopregnanolone biosynthesis and GABAA receptor plasticity in the pathophysiology of PPD. We also discuss evidence supporting the efficacy of brexanolone for the treatment of PPD, which opens a promising new horizon for neurosteroid-based therapeutics for mood disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Graziano Pinna
- The Psychiatric Institute, Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States
- *Correspondence: Graziano Pinna ;
| | - Felipe B. Almeida
- The Psychiatric Institute, Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States
- Graduate Program in Health Sciences, Universidade Federal de Ciências da Saúde de Porto Alegre (UFCSPA), Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - John M. Davis
- The Psychiatric Institute, Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States
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Morrow AL, Balan I, Boero G. Mechanisms Underlying Recovery From Postpartum Depression Following Brexanolone Therapy. Biol Psychiatry 2022; 91:252-253. [PMID: 34961596 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2021.11.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2021] [Accepted: 11/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- A Leslie Morrow
- Departments of Psychiatry and Pharmacology and the Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, North Carolina.
| | - Irina Balan
- Departments of Psychiatry and Pharmacology and the Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | - Giorgia Boero
- Departments of Psychiatry and Pharmacology and the Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
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Cáceres ARR, Campo Verde Arboccó F, Cardone DA, Sanhueza MDLÁ, Casais M, Vega Orozco AS, Laconi MR. Superior mesenteric ganglion neural modulation of ovarian angiogenesis, apoptosis and proliferation by the neuroactive steroid allopregnanolone. J Neuroendocrinol 2022; 34:e13056. [PMID: 34739183 DOI: 10.1111/jne.13056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2021] [Revised: 08/22/2021] [Accepted: 10/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Allopregnanolone (ALLO), a potent neuroactive steroid, is synthesized and active in the peripheral nervous system. Previous studies have shown that ALLO participates in the central regulation of reproduction with effects on ovarian physiology, although there is little evidence for its ability to modulate peripheral tissues. The present study aimed to determine whether ALLO, administered to an ex vivo system that comprises the superior mesenteric ganglion (SMG), the ovarian nervous plexus (ONP) and the ovary (O), or to the denervated ovary (DO), was able to modify ovarian apoptosis, proliferation and angiogenesis. For this purpose, the SMG-ONP-O system and DO were incubated during 120 min at 37°C, in the presence of two ALLO doses (0.06 µm and 6 µm). The intrinsic and extrinsic pathways of apoptosis were analyzed. Incubation of the SMG-ONP-O system with ALLO 0.06 µm led to an increase in the BAX/BCL-2 ratio and a reduction of FAS-L mRNA levels. ALLO 6 µm induced a decrease of FAS-L levels. Incubation of DO with ALLO 0.06 µm reduced FAS-L, whereas ALLO 6 µm significantly increased it. Cyclin D1 mRNA was measured to evaluate proliferation. Treatment with ALLO 6 µm increased proliferation in both SMG-ONP-O and DO. ALLO 0.06 µm produced an increase of Cyclin D1 in DO only. Administration of either ALLO dose led to a higher ovarian expression of vascular endothelial growth factor in the SMG-ONP-O system, but a lower one in the DO system. ALLO 6 µm induced ovarian sensitization to GABA by increasing GABAA receptor expression. In conclusion, ALLO participates in the peripheral neural modulation of ovarian physiology. It can also interact directly with the ovarian tissue, modulating key mechanisms involved in normal and pathological processes in a dose-dependent manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonella Rosario Ramona Cáceres
- Laboratorio de Fisiopatología Ovárica, Instituto de Medicina y Biología Experimental de Cuyo (IMBECU - CONICET Mendoza), Mendoza, Argentina
- Facultad de Ingeniería y Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad de Mendoza, Mendoza, Argentina
| | - Fiorella Campo Verde Arboccó
- Laboratorio de Fisiopatología Ovárica, Instituto de Medicina y Biología Experimental de Cuyo (IMBECU - CONICET Mendoza), Mendoza, Argentina
| | - Daniela Alejandra Cardone
- Laboratorio de Fisiopatología Ovárica, Instituto de Medicina y Biología Experimental de Cuyo (IMBECU - CONICET Mendoza), Mendoza, Argentina
| | - María de Los Ángeles Sanhueza
- Laboratorio de Fisiopatología Ovárica, Instituto de Medicina y Biología Experimental de Cuyo (IMBECU - CONICET Mendoza), Mendoza, Argentina
| | - Marilina Casais
- Laboratorio de Biología de la Reproducción (LABIR), Facultad de Química, Bioquímica y Farmacia, Universidad Nacional de San Luis, San Luis, Argentina
| | - Adriana Soledad Vega Orozco
- Laboratorio de Biología de la Reproducción (LABIR), Facultad de Química, Bioquímica y Farmacia, Universidad Nacional de San Luis, San Luis, Argentina
| | - Myriam Raquel Laconi
- Laboratorio de Fisiopatología Ovárica, Instituto de Medicina y Biología Experimental de Cuyo (IMBECU - CONICET Mendoza), Mendoza, Argentina
- Facultad de Ingeniería y Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad de Mendoza, Mendoza, Argentina
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Gonçalves BSM, Mariotti FFN, Ponsone G, Soares TAA, Perão PCBG, Mônico-Neto M, Cariste LM, Maluf A, Nascimento GDSS, Antunes HKM, Céspedes IC, Viana MDB, Le Sueur-Maluf L. High and fluctuating levels of ovarian hormones induce an anxiogenic effect, which can be modulated under stress conditions: Evidence from an assisted reproductive rodent model. Horm Behav 2022; 137:105087. [PMID: 34826650 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2021.105087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2021] [Revised: 10/24/2021] [Accepted: 11/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Elevated levels of endogenous ovarian hormones are conditions commonly experienced by women undergoing assisted reproductive technologies (ART). Additionally, infertility-associated stress and treatment routines are factors that together may have a highly negative impact on female emotionality, which can be aggravated when several cycles of ART are needed to attempt pregnancy. This study aimed to investigate the effect of high and fluctuating levels of gonadal hormones induced by repeated ovarian stimulation on the stress response in rodents. To mimic the context of ART, female rats were exposed to an unpredictable chronic mild stress (UCMS) paradigm for four weeks. During this time, three cycles of ovarian stimulation (superovulation) (150 IU/Kg of PMSG and 75 IU/Kg of hCG) were applied, with intervals of two estrous cycles between them. The rats were distributed into four groups: Repeated Superovulation/UCMS; Repeated Superovulation/No Stress; Saline/UCMS; and Saline/No Stress. Anxiety-like and depressive-like behaviors were evaluated in a light-dark transition box and by splash test, respectively. Corticosterone, estradiol, progesterone, and biometric parameters were assessed. Data were analyzed using a two-way Generalized Linear Model (GzLM). Our results showed that repeated ovarian stimulation exerts by itself an expressive anxiogenic effect. Surprisingly, when high and fluctuating levels of ovarian hormones were combined with chronic stress, anxiety-like behavior was no longer observed, and a depressive-like state was not detected. Our findings suggest that females subjected to emotional overload induced by repeated ovarian stimulation and chronic stress seem to trigger the elaboration of adaptive coping strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Giovana Ponsone
- Departamento de Biociências, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, UNIFESP, 11015-020 Santos, SP, Brazil
| | | | | | - Marcos Mônico-Neto
- Departamento de Biociências, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, UNIFESP, 11015-020 Santos, SP, Brazil
| | - Leonardo Moro Cariste
- Departamento de Biociências, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, UNIFESP, 11015-020 Santos, SP, Brazil
| | - Auro Maluf
- Departamento de Ciências do Mar, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, UNIFESP, 11070-102 Santos, SP, Brazil
| | | | | | - Isabel Cristina Céspedes
- Departamento de Biociências, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, UNIFESP, 11015-020 Santos, SP, Brazil
| | - Milena de Barros Viana
- Departamento de Biociências, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, UNIFESP, 11015-020 Santos, SP, Brazil
| | - Luciana Le Sueur-Maluf
- Departamento de Biociências, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, UNIFESP, 11015-020 Santos, SP, Brazil.
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Varticovski L, Stavreva DA, McGowan A, Raziuddin R, Hager GL. Endocrine disruptors of sex hormone activities. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2022; 539:111415. [PMID: 34339825 PMCID: PMC8762672 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2021.111415] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2021] [Revised: 07/22/2021] [Accepted: 07/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Sex hormones, such as androgens, estrogens and progestins are naturally occurring compounds that tightly regulate endocrine systems in a variety of living organisms. Uncontrolled environmental exposure to these hormones or their biological and synthetic mimetics has been widely documented. Furthermore, water contaminants penetrate soil to affect flora, fauna and ultimately humans. Because endocrine systems evolved to respond to very small changes in hormone levels, the low levels found in the environment cannot be ignored. The combined actions of sex hormones with glucocorticoids and other nuclear receptors disruptors creates additional level of complexity including the newly described "dynamic assisted loading" mechanism. We reviewed the extensive literature pertaining to world-wide detection of these disruptors and created a detailed Table on the development and current status of methods used for their analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Varticovski
- Laboratory of Receptor Biology and Gene Expression, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA.
| | - D A Stavreva
- Laboratory of Receptor Biology and Gene Expression, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - A McGowan
- Laboratory of Receptor Biology and Gene Expression, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - R Raziuddin
- Laboratory of Receptor Biology and Gene Expression, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - G L Hager
- Laboratory of Receptor Biology and Gene Expression, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA.
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Holubova K, Chvojkova M, Hrcka Krausova B, Vyklicky V, Kudova E, Chodounska H, Vyklicky L, Vales K. Pitfalls of NMDA Receptor Modulation by Neuroactive Steroids. The Effect of Positive and Negative Modulation of NMDA Receptors in an Animal Model of Schizophrenia. Biomolecules 2021; 11:1026. [PMID: 34356650 PMCID: PMC8301783 DOI: 10.3390/biom11071026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2021] [Revised: 07/05/2021] [Accepted: 07/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Evidence from clinical and preclinical studies implicates dysfunction of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors (NMDARs) in schizophrenia progression and symptoms. We investigated the antipsychotic effect of two neuroactive steroids in an animal model of schizophrenia induced by systemic application of MK-801. The neuroactive steroids differ in their mechanism of action at NMDARs. MS-249 is positive, while PA-Glu is a negative allosteric NMDAR modulator. We hypothesized that the positive NMDA receptor modulator would attenuate deficits caused by MK-801 co-application more effectively than PA-Glu. The rats were tested in a battery of tests assessing spontaneous locomotion, anxiety and cognition. Contrary to our expectations, PA-Glu exhibited a superior antipsychotic effect to MS-249. The performance of MS-249-treated rats in cognitive tests differed depending on the level of stress the rats were exposed to during test sessions. In particular, with the increasing severity of stress exposure, the performance of animals worsened. Our results demonstrate that enhancement of NMDAR function may result in unspecific behavioral responses. Positive NMDAR modulation can influence other neurobiological processes besides memory formation, such as anxiety and response to stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristina Holubova
- National Institute of Mental Health, Topolova 748, 25067 Klecany, Czech Republic; (M.C.); (K.V.)
| | - Marketa Chvojkova
- National Institute of Mental Health, Topolova 748, 25067 Klecany, Czech Republic; (M.C.); (K.V.)
| | - Barbora Hrcka Krausova
- Institute of Physiology CAS, Videnska 1083, 14220 Prague, Czech Republic; (B.H.K.); (V.V.); (L.V.)
| | - Vojtech Vyklicky
- Institute of Physiology CAS, Videnska 1083, 14220 Prague, Czech Republic; (B.H.K.); (V.V.); (L.V.)
| | - Eva Kudova
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry CAS, Flemingovo namesti 542/2, 16000 Prague, Czech Republic; (E.K.); (H.C.)
| | - Hana Chodounska
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry CAS, Flemingovo namesti 542/2, 16000 Prague, Czech Republic; (E.K.); (H.C.)
| | - Ladislav Vyklicky
- Institute of Physiology CAS, Videnska 1083, 14220 Prague, Czech Republic; (B.H.K.); (V.V.); (L.V.)
| | - Karel Vales
- National Institute of Mental Health, Topolova 748, 25067 Klecany, Czech Republic; (M.C.); (K.V.)
- Institute of Physiology CAS, Videnska 1083, 14220 Prague, Czech Republic; (B.H.K.); (V.V.); (L.V.)
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De Nicola AF, Meyer M, Garay L, Kruse MS, Schumacher M, Guennoun R, Gonzalez Deniselle MC. Progesterone and Allopregnanolone Neuroprotective Effects in the Wobbler Mouse Model of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. Cell Mol Neurobiol 2021; 42:23-40. [PMID: 34138412 DOI: 10.1007/s10571-021-01118-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2021] [Accepted: 06/09/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Progesterone regulates a number of processes in neurons and glial cells not directly involved in reproduction or sex behavior. Several neuroprotective effects are better observed under pathological conditions, as shown in the Wobbler mouse model of amyotrophic laterals sclerosis (ALS). Wobbler mice are characterized by forelimb atrophy due to motoneuron degeneration in the spinal cord, and include microgliosis and astrogliosis. Here we summarized current evidence on progesterone reversal of Wobbler neuropathology. We demonstrated that progesterone decreased motoneuron vacuolization with preservation of mitochondrial respiratory complex I activity, decreased mitochondrial expression and activity of nitric oxide synthase, increased Mn-dependent superoxide dismutase, stimulated brain-derived neurotrophic factor, increased the cholinergic phenotype of motoneurons, and enhanced survival with a concomitant decrease of death-related pathways. Progesterone also showed differential effects on glial cells, including increased oligodendrocyte density and downregulation of astrogliosis and microgliosis. These changes associate with reduced anti-inflammatory markers. The enhanced neurochemical parameters were accompanied by longer survival and increased muscle strength in tests of motor behavior. Because progesterone is locally metabolized to allopregnanolone (ALLO) in nervous tissues, we also studied neuroprotection by this derivative. Treatment of Wobbler mice with ALLO decreased oxidative stress and glial pathology, increased motoneuron viability and clinical outcome in a progesterone-like manner, suggesting that ALLO could mediate some progesterone effects in the spinal cord. In conclusion, the beneficial effects observed in different parameters support the versatile properties of progesterone and ALLO in a mouse model of motoneuron degeneration. The studies foresee future therapeutic opportunities with neuroactive steroids for deadly diseases like ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alejandro F De Nicola
- Laboratory of Neuroendocrine Biochemistry, Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental-CONICET, Vuelta de Obligado 2490, 1428, Buenos Aires, Argentina. .,Department of Human Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Buenos Aires, Paraguay 2155, 1425, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
| | - María Meyer
- Laboratory of Neuroendocrine Biochemistry, Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental-CONICET, Vuelta de Obligado 2490, 1428, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Laura Garay
- Laboratory of Neuroendocrine Biochemistry, Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental-CONICET, Vuelta de Obligado 2490, 1428, Buenos Aires, Argentina.,Department of Human Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Buenos Aires, Paraguay 2155, 1425, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Maria Sol Kruse
- Laboratory of Neurobiology, Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental-CONICET, Vuelta de Obligado 2490, 1428, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Michael Schumacher
- U1195 INSERM and University Paris Sud "Neuroprotective, Neuroregenerative and Remyelinating Small Molecules, 94276, Kremlin-Bicetre, France
| | - Rachida Guennoun
- U1195 INSERM and University Paris Sud "Neuroprotective, Neuroregenerative and Remyelinating Small Molecules, 94276, Kremlin-Bicetre, France
| | - Maria Claudia Gonzalez Deniselle
- Laboratory of Neuroendocrine Biochemistry, Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental-CONICET, Vuelta de Obligado 2490, 1428, Buenos Aires, Argentina.,Department of Physiological Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Buenos Aires, Paraguay 2155, 1425, Buenos Aires, Argentina
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Chen S, Gao L, Li X, Ye Y. Allopregnanolone in mood disorders: Mechanism and therapeutic development. Pharmacol Res 2021; 169:105682. [PMID: 34019980 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2021.105682] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2021] [Revised: 05/10/2021] [Accepted: 05/14/2021] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
The neuroactive steroid allopregnanolone (ALLO) is an endogenous positive allosteric modulator of GABA type A receptor (GABAAR), and the down-regulation of its biosynthesis have been attributed to the development of mood disorders, such as depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). ALLO mediated depression/anxiety involves GABAergic mechanisms and appears to be related to brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), dopamine receptor, glutamate neurotransmission, and Ca2+ channel. In the clinical, brexanolone, as a newly developed intravenous ALLO preparation, has been approved for the treatment of postpartum depression (PPD). In addition, traditional antidepressants such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) could reverse ALLO decline. Recently, the translocation protein (TSPO, 18 kDa), which involves in the speed-limiting step of ALLO synthesis, and ALLO derivatization have been identified as new directions for antidepressant therapy. This review provides an overview of ALLO researches in animal model and patients, discusses its role in the development and treatment of depression/anxiety, and directs its therapeutic potential in future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shiyi Chen
- School of Pharmacy, Hangzhou Medical College (Zhejiang Academy of Medical Sciences), Hangzhou, Zhejiang, People's Republic of China; Key Laboratory of Neuropsychiatric Drug Research of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, People's Republic of China.
| | - Lijuan Gao
- School of Pharmacy, Hangzhou Medical College (Zhejiang Academy of Medical Sciences), Hangzhou, Zhejiang, People's Republic of China; Key Laboratory of Neuropsychiatric Drug Research of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, People's Republic of China.
| | - Xiaoyu Li
- School of Pharmacy, Hangzhou Medical College (Zhejiang Academy of Medical Sciences), Hangzhou, Zhejiang, People's Republic of China; Key Laboratory of Neuropsychiatric Drug Research of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, People's Republic of China.
| | - Yiping Ye
- School of Pharmacy, Hangzhou Medical College (Zhejiang Academy of Medical Sciences), Hangzhou, Zhejiang, People's Republic of China; Key Laboratory of Neuropsychiatric Drug Research of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, People's Republic of China.
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Balan I, Aurelian L, Schleicher R, Boero G, O'Buckley T, Morrow AL. Neurosteroid allopregnanolone (3α,5α-THP) inhibits inflammatory signals induced by activated MyD88-dependent toll-like receptors. Transl Psychiatry 2021; 11:145. [PMID: 33637705 PMCID: PMC7909379 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-021-01266-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2020] [Revised: 01/21/2021] [Accepted: 02/02/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
We have shown that endogenous neurosteroids, including pregnenolone and 3α,5α-THP inhibit toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) signal activation in mouse macrophages and the brain of alcohol-preferring (P) rat, which exhibits innate TLR4 signal activation. The current studies were designed to examine whether other activated TLR signals are similarly inhibited by 3α,5α-THP. We report that 3α,5α-THP inhibits selective agonist-mediated activation of TLR2 and TLR7, but not TLR3 signaling in the RAW246.7 macrophage cell line. The TLR4 and TLR7 signals are innately activated in the amygdala and NAc from P rat brains and inhibited by 3α,5α-THP. The TLR2 and TLR3 signals are not activated in P rat brain and they are not affected by 3α,5α-THP. Co-immunoprecipitation studies indicate that 3α,5α-THP inhibits the binding of MyD88 with TLR4 or TLR7 in P rat brain, but the levels of TLR4 co-precipitating with TRIF are not altered by 3α,5α-THP treatment. Collectively, the data indicate that 3α,5α-THP inhibits MyD88- but not TRIF-dependent TLR signal activation and the production of pro-inflammatory mediators through its ability to block TLR-MyD88 binding. These results have applicability to many conditions involving pro-inflammatory TLR activation of cytokines, chemokines, and interferons and support the use of 3α,5α-THP as a therapeutic for inflammatory disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irina Balan
- Department of Psychiatry, Department of Pharmacology, Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Laure Aurelian
- Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | - Riana Schleicher
- Department of Psychiatry, Department of Pharmacology, Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Giorgia Boero
- Department of Psychiatry, Department of Pharmacology, Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Todd O'Buckley
- Department of Psychiatry, Department of Pharmacology, Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - A Leslie Morrow
- Department of Psychiatry, Department of Pharmacology, Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA.
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Reddy DS, Thompson W, Calderara G. Does Stress Trigger Seizures? Evidence from Experimental Models. Curr Top Behav Neurosci 2021; 55:41-64. [PMID: 33547597 DOI: 10.1007/7854_2020_191] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
This chapter describes the experimental evidence of stress modulation of epileptic seizures and the potential role of corticosteroids and neurosteroids in regulating stress-linked seizure vulnerability. Epilepsy is a chronic neurological disorder that is characterized by repeated seizures. There are many potential causes for epilepsy, including genetic predispositions, infections, brain injury, and neurotoxicity. Stress is a known precipitating factor for seizures in individuals suffering from epilepsy. Severe acute stress and persistent exposure to stress may increase susceptibility to seizures, thereby resulting in a higher frequency of seizures. This occurs through the stress-mediated release of cortisol, which has both excitatory and proconvulsant properties. Stress also causes the release of endogenous neurosteroids from central and adrenal sources. Neurosteroids such as allopregnanolone and THDOC, which are allosteric modulators of GABA-A receptors, are powerful anticonvulsants and neuroprotectants. Acute stress increases the release of neurosteroids, while chronic stress is associated with severe neurosteroid depletion and reduced inhibition in the brain. This diminished inhibition occurs largely as a result of neurosteroid deficiencies. Thus, exogenous administration of neurosteroids (neurosteroid replacement therapy) may offer neuroprotection in epilepsy. Synthetic neurosteroid could offer a rational approach to control neurosteroid-sensitive, stress-related epileptic seizures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Doodipala Samba Reddy
- Department of Neuroscience and Experimental Therapeutics, College of Medicine, Texas A&M University Health Science Center, Bryan, TX, USA.
| | - Wesley Thompson
- Department of Neuroscience and Experimental Therapeutics, College of Medicine, Texas A&M University Health Science Center, Bryan, TX, USA
| | - Gianmarco Calderara
- Department of Neuroscience and Experimental Therapeutics, College of Medicine, Texas A&M University Health Science Center, Bryan, TX, USA
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Boero G, Tyler RE, Todd CA, O'Buckley TK, Balan I, Besheer J, Morrow AL. (3α,5α)3-hydroxypregnan-20-one (3α,5α-THP) regulation of hypothalamic and extrahypothalamic corticotropin releasing factor (CRF): Sexual dimorphism and brain region specificity in Sprague Dawley rats. Neuropharmacology 2021; 186:108463. [PMID: 33460689 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2021.108463] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2020] [Revised: 01/07/2021] [Accepted: 01/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
CRF is the main activator of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis in response to stress. CRF neurons are found mainly in the hypothalamus, but CRF positive cells and CRF1 receptors are also found in extrahypothalamic structures, including amygdala (CeA), hippocampus, NAc and VTA. CRF release in the hypothalamus is regulated by inhibitory GABAergic interneurons and extrahypothalamic glutamatergic inputs, and disruption of this balance is found in stress-related disorders and addiction. (3α,5α)3-hydroxypregnan-20-one (3α,5α-THP), the most potent positive modulator of GABAA receptors, attenuates the stress response reducing hypothalamic CRF mRNA expression and ACTH and corticosterone serum levels. In this study, we explored 3α,5α-THP regulation of hypothalamic and extrahypothalamic CRF mRNA and peptide expression, in male and female Sprague Dawley rats, following vehicle or 3α,5α-THP administration (15 mg/kg). In the hypothalamus, we found sex differences in CRF mRNA expression (females +74%, p < 0.01) and CRF peptide levels (females -71%, p < 0.001). 3α,5α-THP administration reduced hypothalamic CRF mRNA expression only in males (-50%, p < 0.05) and did not alter CRF peptide expression in either sex. In hippocampus and CeA, 3α,5α-THP administration reduced CRF peptide concentrations only in the male (hippocampus -29%, p < 0.05; CeA -62%, p < 0.01). In contrast, 3α,5α-THP injection increased CRF peptide concentration in the VTA of both males (+32%, p < 0.01) and females (+26%, p < 0.01). The results show sex and region-specific regulation of CRF signals and the response to 3α,5α-THP administration. This data may be key to successful development of therapeutic approaches for stress-related disorders and addiction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giorgia Boero
- Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA; Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA; Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Ryan E Tyler
- Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA; Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Caroline A Todd
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Todd K O'Buckley
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Irina Balan
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Joyce Besheer
- Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA; Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - A Leslie Morrow
- Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA; Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA; Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA.
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Naß J, Efferth T. Ursolic acid ameliorates stress and reactive oxygen species in C. elegans knockout mutants by the dopamine Dop1 and Dop3 receptors. PHYTOMEDICINE : INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHYTOTHERAPY AND PHYTOPHARMACOLOGY 2021; 81:153439. [PMID: 33352493 DOI: 10.1016/j.phymed.2020.153439] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2020] [Revised: 11/16/2020] [Accepted: 12/06/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Depression and stress-related disorders are leading causes of death worldwide. Standard treatments elevating serotonin or noradrenaline levels are not sufficiently effective and cause adverse side effects. A connection between dopamine pathways and stress-related disorders has been suggested. Compounds derived from herbal medicine could be a promising alternative. We examined the neuroprotective effects of ursolic acid (UA) by focusing on dopamine signalling. METHODS Trolox equivalent capacity assay was used to determine the antioxidant activities of UA in vitro. C. elegans N2 wildtype and dopamine receptor-knockout mutants (dop1-deficient RB665 and dop3-deficient LX703 strains) were used as in vivo models. H2DCFDA and acute juglone assays were applied to determine the antioxidant activity in dependency of dopamine pathways in vivo. Stress was assessed by heat and acute osmotic stress assays. The influence of UA on overall survival was analyzed by a life span assay. The dop1 and dop3 mRNA expression was determined by real time RT-PCR. We also examined the binding affinity of UA towards C. elegans Dop1 and Dop3 receptors as well as human dopamine receptors D1 and D3 by molecular docking. RESULTS Antioxidant activity assays showed that UA exerts strong antioxidant activity. UA increased resistance towards oxidative, osmotic and heat stress. Additionally, UA increased life span of nematodes. Moreover, dop1 and dop3 gene expression was significantly enhanced upon UA treatment. Docking analysis revealed stronger binding affinity of UA to C. elegans and human dopamine receptors than the natural ligand, dopamine. Binding to Dop1 was stronger than to Dop3. CONCLUSION UA reduced stress-dependent ROS generation and acted through Dop1 and to a lesser extent through Dop3 to reduce stress and prolong life span in C. elegans. These results indicate that UA could be a promising lead compound for the development of new antidepressant medications.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Antioxidants/pharmacology
- Caenorhabditis elegans/drug effects
- Caenorhabditis elegans/genetics
- Caenorhabditis elegans/physiology
- Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins/chemistry
- Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins/genetics
- Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins/metabolism
- Dopamine/metabolism
- Gene Knockout Techniques
- Humans
- Longevity/drug effects
- Molecular Docking Simulation
- Mutation
- Reactive Oxygen Species/metabolism
- Receptors, Dopamine D1/chemistry
- Receptors, Dopamine D1/genetics
- Receptors, Dopamine D1/metabolism
- Receptors, Dopamine D2/chemistry
- Receptors, Dopamine D2/genetics
- Receptors, Dopamine D2/metabolism
- Receptors, Dopamine D3/chemistry
- Receptors, Dopamine D3/metabolism
- Signal Transduction/drug effects
- Stress, Physiological/drug effects
- Stress, Physiological/genetics
- Triterpenes/chemistry
- Triterpenes/pharmacology
- Ursolic Acid
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Affiliation(s)
- Janine Naß
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biology, Institute of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, Johannes Gutenberg University, Staudinger Weg 5, 55128 Mainz, Germany
| | - Thomas Efferth
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biology, Institute of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, Johannes Gutenberg University, Staudinger Weg 5, 55128 Mainz, Germany.
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Misztal T, Kowalczyk P, Młotkowska P, Marciniak E. The Effect of Allopregnanolone on Enzymatic Activity of the DNA Base Excision Repair Pathway in the Sheep Hippocampus and Amygdala under Natural and Stressful Conditions. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:E7762. [PMID: 33092287 PMCID: PMC7589085 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21207762] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2020] [Revised: 10/15/2020] [Accepted: 10/19/2020] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
The neurosteroid allopregnanolone (AL) has many beneficial functions in the brain. This study tested the hypothesis that AL administered for three days into the third brain ventricle would affect the enzymatic activity of the DNA base excision repair (BER) pathway in the hippocampal CA1 and CA3 fields and the central amygdala in luteal-phase sheep under both natural and stressful conditions. Acute stressful stimuli, including isolation and partial movement restriction, were used on the last day of infusion. The results showed that stressful stimuli increased N-methylpurine DNA glycosylase (MPG), thymine DNA glycosylase (TDG), 8-oxoguanine glycosylase (OGG1), and AP-endonuclease 1 (APE1) mRNA expression, as well as repair activities for 1,N6-ethenoadenine (εA), 3,N4-ethenocytosine (εC), and 8-oxoguanine (8-oxoG) compared to controls. The stimulated events were lower in stressed and AL-treated sheep compared to sheep that were only stressed (except MPG mRNA expression in the CA1 and amygdala, as well as TDG mRNA expression in the CA1). AL alone reduced mRNA expression of all DNA repair enzymes (except TDG in the amygdala) relative to controls and other groups. DNA repair activities varied depending on the tissue-AL alone stimulated the excision of εA in the amygdala, εC in the CA3 and amygdala, and 8-oxoG in all tissues studied compared to controls. However, the excision efficiency of lesioned bases in the AL group was lower than in the stressed and stressed and AL-treated groups, with the exception of εA in the amygdala. In conclusion, the presented modulating effect of AL on the synthesis of BER pathway enzymes and their repair capacity, both under natural and stressful conditions, indicates another functional role of this neurosteroid in brain structures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomasz Misztal
- The Kielanowski Institute of Animal Physiology and Nutrition, Polish Academy of Sciences, Instytucka 3, 05-110 Jabłonna, Poland; (P.K.); (P.M.); (E.M.)
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Pinna G. Allopregnanolone (1938-2019): A trajectory of 80 years of outstanding scientific achievements. Neurobiol Stress 2020; 13:100246. [PMID: 32875009 PMCID: PMC7451447 DOI: 10.1016/j.ynstr.2020.100246] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Graziano Pinna
- The Psychiatric Institute, Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, 1601 W. Taylor Street, Chicago, IL, 60612, USA
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38
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Mariotti FFN, Gonçalves BSM, Pimpão G, Mônico-Neto M, Antunes HKM, Viana MDB, Céspedes IC, Le Sueur-Maluf L. A single ovarian stimulation, as performed in assisted reproductive technologies, can modulate the anxiety-like behavior and neuronal activation in stress-related brain areas in rats. Horm Behav 2020; 124:104805. [PMID: 32531398 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2020.104805] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2020] [Revised: 06/05/2020] [Accepted: 06/07/2020] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
Infertility affects about 8 to 12% of couples of childbearing age around the world, and is recognized as a global public health issue by the WHO. From a psychosocial perspective, infertile individuals experience intense psychological distress, related to emotional disorders, which have repercussions on marital and social relationships. The symptoms persist even after seeking specialized treatment, such as assisted reproductive technologies (ART). While the stress impact of ART outcome has been comprehensively studied, the role of supraphysiological concentrations of gonadal hormones on stress response, remains to be elucidated. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of a single ovarian stimulation on the stress response in rats. To mimic the context of ART in rodents, female rats were submitted to the superovulation (150 UI/kg of PMSG and 75 UI/kg of hCG) and then to psychogenic stress (restraint stress for 30 min/day, repeated for three days). Anxiety-like behavior was evaluated in the elevated plus-maze, and neuronal activation in the stress-related brain areas assessed by Fos protein immunoreactivity. Corticosterone, estradiol, progesterone and corpora lutea were quantified. Data were analyzed using Generalized Linear Model (GzLM). Our findings indicate anxiolytic-like and protective effects of supraphysiological concentrations of gonadal hormones induced by a single ovarian stimulation on stress response. An activation of hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal response inhibitory pathways, with participation of the prefrontal cortex, basomedial amygdala, lateral septum, medial preoptic area, dorsomedial and paraventricular hypothalamus, was detected.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Anti-Anxiety Agents/pharmacology
- Anxiety/metabolism
- Anxiety/physiopathology
- Anxiety/prevention & control
- Anxiety/psychology
- Behavior, Animal/drug effects
- Behavior, Animal/physiology
- Brain/drug effects
- Brain/pathology
- Brain/physiopathology
- Corticosterone/metabolism
- Female
- Fertility Agents, Female/pharmacology
- Neurons/physiology
- Neuroprotection/drug effects
- Neuroprotection/physiology
- Ovulation Induction
- Prefrontal Cortex/drug effects
- Prefrontal Cortex/pathology
- Prefrontal Cortex/physiopathology
- Rats
- Rats, Wistar
- Reproductive Techniques, Assisted
- Restraint, Physical/adverse effects
- Restraint, Physical/psychology
- Stress, Psychological/metabolism
- Stress, Psychological/physiopathology
- Stress, Psychological/psychology
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Giovanna Pimpão
- Departamento de Biociências, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, UNIFESP, 11015-020 Santos, SP, Brazil
| | - Marcos Mônico-Neto
- Departamento de Biociências, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, UNIFESP, 11015-020 Santos, SP, Brazil; Departmento de Psicobiologia, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, UNIFESP, 04024-002 São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | | | - Milena de Barros Viana
- Departamento de Biociências, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, UNIFESP, 11015-020 Santos, SP, Brazil
| | - Isabel Cristina Céspedes
- Departamento de Biociências, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, UNIFESP, 11015-020 Santos, SP, Brazil
| | - Luciana Le Sueur-Maluf
- Departamento de Biociências, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, UNIFESP, 11015-020 Santos, SP, Brazil.
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Neurobiological Trajectories Involving Social Isolation in PTSD: A Systematic Review. Brain Sci 2020; 10:brainsci10030173. [PMID: 32197333 PMCID: PMC7139956 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci10030173] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2020] [Accepted: 03/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Social isolation (SI) stress has been recognized as a major risk factor of morbidity in humans and animals, exerting damaging effects at the physical and mental health levels. Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), on the other hand, occurs as a result of experiencing serious, life-threatening, traumatic events and involves involuntary re-experiencing trauma (intrusion), avoidance symptoms, and distortions of cognition and emotional arousal. The literature shows that PTSD is affected by genetic predisposition and triggers a large neurocircuitry involving the amygdala, insula, hippocampus, anterior cingulate- and prefrontal-cortex, and affects the function of the neuroendocrine and immune systems. Social isolation seems to influence the predisposition, onset and outcome of PTSD in humans, whereas it constitutes a valid model of the disorder in animals. According to the PRISMA (preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses) protocol, we systematically reviewed all original studies involving the neurobiological trajectories between SI and PTSD published till July 2019 (database: PubMed/Medline). Out of 274 studies, 10 met the inclusion criteria. We present the results of the retrieved studies in terms of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA)-axis and endocannabinoid system function, immune reactions, neuroplasticity, novel pharmacological targets, and shortening of telomere length, which confirm a synergistic effect on a neurobiological level between the two entities.
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